Even though the restaurant is located on the main road, it is difficult to find it since it is on the second floor of a building. A flight of stairs takes you to the restaurant and close to that is a standing-banner advertising the name of the restaurant and the available meals. An Indonesian flag displayed from the window on the second floor ascertains that it is an Indonesian restaurant.
We went there for an early dinner hence there were not many customers. The waitress greeted me both in Japanese and Indonesian. The restaurant is decorated with everything that portrays “Indonesia”. Indonesian songs provide backdrop music and adds an Indonesian feeling to the atmosphere. I instantly felt natsukashii/ nostalgic.
Nasi goreng is the most popular Indonesian food. Obviously, Cabe serves nasi goreng as expected or known to foreigners. However, instead of nasi goreng, I recommended my friend to try Soto and Mie Ayam, which are my favorite Indonesian food. In the end we ordered Sate Campur (sate mixed), Tempe Goreng (fried tempe), Soto, Mie Ayam (chicken noodle), Ayam Dabu-Dabu, white rice, and two fried-banana + vanilla ice cream for dessert. The lamb and all of the chicken used in this restaurant are halal, except for Ayam Panggang, while the beef is not halal. So every dish made with beef is not halal.
Soto and Mie Ayam
Ayam Dabu-Dabu
Sambal
Fried banana + ice cream
The menu actually offers a selection of Indonesian dishes from across the country; there were more than 20 dishes in the menu, from Indonesian snacks like Kerupuk (fried shrimp chips) to stir-fry foods such as Tumis Terong (eggplant stir-fry) and Sambal Goreng (dishes – usually meat, tempe, or tofu cooked with vegetables and chili) types of foods. The prices are all under 1000 yen (except for few dishes).
Our meals were served with the special Indonesian dressing Kecap (sweet soy sauce) and Sambal (very spicy dressing-like thing made from chili, tomato, garlic and other spices grinded together). They were very delicious and had a quite authentic taste, except for the Mie Ayam, which in my personal opinion tasted more like ramen rather than Mie Ayam. I and my friend both enjoyed the dessert, fried-banana was served together with an ice cream, which is our favorite now. The dessert left a very pleasant flavour.
Overall, it was a wonderful dining experience. The food was great while the atmosphere was pleasant and comfortable. I always recommend this restaurant to my friends if they are interested in tasting the Indonesian delicacies. I, personally, come to this restaurant quite often, especially when I miss Indonesian food here in Tokyo.
Information
Cabe
Address: 3 Chome-12-7 Meguro, Tokyo 153-0063
(15 minutes walk from west exit of Meguro station)
Website: http://www.cabe-eco.com/
Map:
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